The rebel lawmakers continue to convene in the William R. Tolbert Joint Chambers despite the Supreme Court’s order to halt all proceedings to unseat Speaker Koffa.
By Bridgett Milton
Monrovia, October 30, 2024: Deputy House Speaker Thomas Fallah has written the majority bloc of the House of Representatives begging for time while he consults his lawyer on whether he should attend a session with the rebel lawmakers.
Fallah wrote to the majority bloc, saying he is consulting his legal team after the bloc called him to attend its sessions.
Fallah has been seeing in chambers with the bloc backing Speaker Koffa’s leadership as the Speaker of the House, though it lacks a quorum to proceed with legislative functions.
The majority bloc, which has some 40 lawmakers, has refused to recognize Speaker Koffa’s leadership. Koffa needs 37 lawmakers to conduct legislative business but falls short of 7.
This development arises as the House faces escalating tensions over efforts to unseat Speaker Koffa. The political crisis on Capitol Hill has moved Speaker Koffa to seek the intervention of the Supreme Court.
In his letter to Acting Chief Clerk James Toubie, Deputy Speaker Fallah acknowledged two communications from the Majority Bloc, dated October 22 and October 24.
In those letters, Fallah acknowledged that he had been urged to participate in the majority bloc’s ongoing proceedings in the joint chambers of the Legislature.
The bloc seeks to remove Speaker Koffa through a vote of no confidence, citing unresolved grievances.
“I write to crave the indulgence of my colleagues in the Joint Chamber to excuse my absence today to allow me some time to consult with my legal team regarding the matter at hand,’’ said Mr. Fallah.
Koffa said he seeks to make an informed decision that will not contravene the Liberian Constitution and other relevant statutes.
Following reading the letter during the Majority Bloc’s session, Nimba County District #6 Representative Dorwohn Gleekia requested the plenary acknowledge Fallah’s communication.
But he urged him to attend a session by Thursday, suggesting potential consequences for non-compliance.
Gleekia argued that Fallah’s presence was vital to the Majority Bloc’s goal of enforcing the House’s rules and procedures.
Despite a recent Supreme Court stay order on all proceedings aimed at unseating Speaker Koffa, the Majority Bloc has continued to convene in the William R. Tolbert Joint Chambers.
It can be recalled that a stay order was issued following a petition from Speaker Koffa leadership, challenging the Majority Bloc’s actions.
The court’s intervention temporarily halts the bloc’s moves until a conference before Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay on November 4, 2024.
Montserrado County District #4 Representative Michael Thomas raised a motion during the session, stating that the bloc acknowledges the Supreme Court’s stay order but maintains that their sessions will proceed until the conference date.
Thomas cited Article 3 of the Liberian Constitution, which designates Liberia as a “sovereign state with three branches of government that are separate but coordinated,” reinforcing the bloc’s stance on the autonomy of the Legislature.
